Versiti issues emergency appeal for blood donations
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Versiti Blood Center of Indiana has issued an emergency appeal for blood donations with nearly 2,500 open appointments across the next seven days. Versiti aims to have a three-day supply of available blood for local hospitals, but the organization said it currently has less than a one-day supply on the shelves.
Versiti estimates that around 20% of its donors are first-time donors, and more than 50% of those donors only donate once.
“Twenty-five percent of our blood collections come from our high school and college partners, meaning that when it’s summer vacation, those community blood drives are not happening,” said Versiti Associate Medical Director Dr. Alcinda Flowers. “And while we anticipate this dip every year, we are also seeing fewer first-time donors walking through our doors, which is adding to an already dangerous situation.”
The organization says that donating blood takes about an hour. Anyone age 17 or older in good health who meets eligibility requirements is encouraged to give. Parental consent is required for donors age 16 to donate blood. Donors should bring a photo ID that includes their birth date.
Donor center locations:
- Indianapolis: 3450 N. Meridian St.
- Fishers: 11005 Allisonville Road
- Carmel: 726 Adams St., Suite 150
- Greenwood: 8739 U.S. 31 South
- Terre Haute: 2021 S. Third St.
- Lafayette: 2200 Elmwood Ave., Suite D-16
To schedule an appointment to donate blood, call 1-317-916-5150 or visit versiti.org. Walk-in donors are also welcome.